You Can Be a Part of the Oscars Experience – Right Here in Shreveport

The Robinson Film Center is bringing the whole Oscars Experience to Shreveport. It's celebrating the 85th Academy Awards this coming Sunday, February 24th, with a red carpet watch party and Hollywood-style fundraiser. Movie-lovers are invited to dress for the occasion, and be prepared to pose for photo ops throughout the evening.

RFC Executive Director Alexandyr Kent tells KEEL News that the admission cost is minimal for all that comes with it. "We have wonderful food from Marilynn's Place, and wonderful desserts from Abby Singer's Bistro, which is in house. We have complimentary beer and wine, which is gonna be wonderful," Kent says. "You'll be able to watch the Oscars on the big screens inside the Robinson Film Center. You can kinda go wherever you want to watch it."

Kent also says there will be a big party tent set up outside, with big-screen TVs inside -- so you could watch out there, if you like. And there are some fun activities you can be a part of...like a photo opportunity with some expensive jewelry. "If you want, you can pose with $1-million worth of jewels from Sid Potts, which I think is actually gonna be very popular," he says. "You know when people arrive with those great big, shiny things around their necks? That's what we will actually have here."

And with that expensive stuff around...yes, there will be armed police officers onhand for the event. Kent says the whole idea is just to provide a little bit of that Hollywood flair to Shreveport.

Another cool thing that's being done is the unveiling of the nonprofit's latest Sidewalk Superstars. These are businesses or individuals who have donated $15,000 to the Robinson. They'll get to see their names -- or an honored loved one's -- installed in the sidewalk outside the theater doors.

It's a fitting event to be held here, too, since our own Moonbot Studios execs Bill Joyce and Brandon Oldenberg won an Academy Award last year for the animated short film "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore." And Louisiana-made "Beasts of the Southern Wild" earned four nominations -- Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay -- which is impressive for a small, independent film produces for around $1.5-million.

You can get tickets for the Oscar Experience: Shreveport for $75 each through the RFC box office or by calling 459-4122.